Someone shared with me the story about a school teacher who was holding five apples in one hand and five oranges on the other then asked his students; “ What do I have in my hands? One student quickly replied; “ Five apples and five oranges”. Another said; “ Ten fruits Sir”. But little Jimmy exclaimed, “ My God, you have big hands Sir”.
“ Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature”, was the marching order of the Lord to His disciples ( Mk. 16: 15-20), and to us likewise for that matter. The world is wide and big out there and our hands are small but if we join hands together caring for the least and the lost, if we put our hands together to safeguard nature, if we publicly wave our hands together to send the message to protect the unborn, if we hold hands to establish unity and harmony in our church and family, and if we fold our hands in prayer imploring God’s mercy for peace and conversion of sinners, our hands become Big. And “ little Jimmy is right”.
There are people with only one hand or no hands at all but have excelled in music, cooking, sports, arts and other fields human life. Despite their disability, “ their hands are Big so to speak”, because they’re courageous and full of hope, their disability is not a hindrance to succeed. They generously share their talents in the community.
Look at your hands. Do you use them to share God’s blessings on you? Use your hand to pat someone’s back in acknowledgement of good work done. Use your hands to help and heal, not hurt and hit. Use your hands to praise God and give alms. The Lord said; “ But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you”. ( Matt.6:3-4).
We just celebrated Mother’s Day last Sunday, May 13, 2018. We remember our Mother with love and gratitude who held us tenderly in their hands when we were small, fed and nourished us, took care of us, spent sleepless nights when we were sick, hugged us with sweet smile, laughed with us, cried with us, and did everything possible for us. Such are the big hands of our mother.
On the flip side, someone said that when you have more than you need, build a longer table not a higher fence. When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll succeed. No matter how much it hurts now, someday you’ll realize your struggles changed your life for the better. “ Joyfully performing works of charity for those who are suffering in mind and body, is the most authentic way to live the Gospel”. ( Pope Francis). Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path. They say that the ugliest thing ever seen is a human being without compassion and the greatest prison we live in, is the fear of what other people think. When you forgive, you heal. And when you let go, you grow. Amen on that folks!!
St. Faustina wrote Jesus’ words; ” I do not reward for good results, but for the patience and hardships undergone for My sake”. Diary no. 86).
Pray the Divine Mercy every 3 p.m. Daily pray the Chaplet of Mercy and the Holy Rosary for peace in our families and in the world.